Altium Limited, a global leader in Smart System Design Automation, 3D PCB design (Altium Designer) and embedded software development (TASKING), announces a new major release of its TASKING compiler suite for ARM, now including its well-received Software Platform that was first showcased at the ARM TechCon in Santa Clara (USA). The Software Platform delivers ultra-rapid prototyping and code development for ARM Cortex-M based microcontrollers, at an unmatched attractive cost level.

The VX-toolset for ARM is the first TASKING compiler suite to receive the Software Platform technology, which is seamlessly integrated into the toolset’s Eclipse based IDE. The complete offering also includes a C/C++ compiler, simulator and hardware debugger, and a wide collection of frequently used middleware components, such as TCP/IP, USB, CAN, web server, graphical user-interface, and an RTOS. At the cost of a traditional development toolset the developer gets everything needed to build an application much faster than is possible with other compiler suites and additional third party middleware components.

By selecting in the IDE the desired middleware options and the Cortex-M based microcontroller for the project, the Software Platform generates the framework code that delivers the required functionality to the developer’s application, without concerns about integration incompatibilities. Adding, removing and configuring middleware components is done through a few simple mouse clicks. Changing the Cortex-M microcontroller type is just as easy, as the Software Platform Builder takes care of collecting the middleware functionalities and the low-level drivers for the microcontroller, after which the code framework is generated and then compiled with the application code.

The new release includes support for a range of new Cortex-M based microcontrollers, including variants from STMicroelectronics (STM32), Silicon Labs (Zero Gecko) and Freescale (Kinetis). The integrated debugger provides support for many new evaluation boards and starter kits, providing pre-configured connectivity to allow the developer to quickly test his application on standard off-the-shelf hardware.

“The new Software Platform allows the software engineer to focus on the development of the core functionality of the application, without worrying about standard middleware components.” said Harm-Andre Verhoef, TASKING Product Manager at Altium. “Adding and configuring services like TCP/IP, a web server, and Human-Machine-Interfaces to the application requires minimal effort and time through our intelligent Software Platform Builder. By bringing their products to market faster and with fewer costs for development tools and middleware components, the TASKING Software Platform enables our customers to be significantly more competitive.”

Features of the TASKING VX-toolset for ARM include:

• Eclipse IDE with integrated C/C++ compiler and simulator debugger
• MISRA C and CERT C code analyzer built into the compiler
• Profiling through code instrumentation and run-time error checking capabilities
• Highly configurable linker with versatile script language for optimal memory control
• On-chip hardware debugger, supporting a range of popular debug probes from third party vendors
• Software Platform with a range of middleware options, includes a comprehensive range of middleware functionalities, such as an RTOS, CAN, USB, TCP/IP, I2C, HTTP(S), file systems, graphical user interface, and touch panel control
• Compliant to relevant industry standards

The new ARM toolset release includes TASKING’s new license management system, offering ultimate configurability to meet today’s needs for flexible licensing from single users to global development teams. License compliance managers and IT managers can monitor and control the usage, sharing and re-assigning of licenses in order to warrant toolset availability to the development teams at an optimized economical level. 

The VX-toolset for ARM Cortex-M/R release v5.0 is available now on PC/Windows, with other platforms supported on request. Pricing starts at USD 1,995 (EUR 1,595) for the TASKING VX-toolset Standard Edition and USD 2,995 (EUR 2,395) for the Premium Edition. Existing customers with a maintenance contract get the new release for free and can upgrade to the Premium Edition with the Software Platform at an attractive fee. The Software Platform supports a wide range of STM32 microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics.